Clamp



Jane 27, 1939.

O. F. TALLMAN 2,164,094

CLAMP Filed June 1s, 193s 2 sheets-sheet 1 2 1a lg. I l i ATTORNEY June 27, 1939. o, F. TALLMAN CLAMP Filed June 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sh'et 2 y Armer/5v Patented June 27, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLAMP Oscar F. Tallman, St.

Louis, Mo., assignor to Application June 18, 1938, Serial No. 214,451

7 Claims.

l such matters that considerable trouble was encountered in properly attaching electrical cables to messengers associated therewith with the aid of the clamps or brackets heretofore employed Y for that purpose. This was particularly true i where the messengers and cables `were disposed on a grade, as in-this case a relative creeping action between the messenger and the cable resulted from the fact that said messenger and cable were not properly gripped by the clamps or brackets which attached the cable to the messenger.

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a clamp which is of such improved construction and arrangement that both the messenger and the cable associated therewith are securely gripped by the `clamp sothat relative creeping of the messenger and cable is effectively prevented even though the associated messenger and cable are arranged on a grade. Additionally the improved clamp disclosed herein, in a slightly modified form, is capable of efficient use as a span bracket, said clamp being secured to a messenger at a point between poles so that a service connection may be extended from the messenger toa ,35 customers location at any point where clearance for the drop wire is obtainable.

Fig. 1 illustrates in elevation onev form of the improved clamp, fragments of a messenger and cable being associated with said clamp.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section-elevation taken on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the opposite -side of the clamp.

Fig. 4illustrates in front elevation a modified form of the improved clamp adapted for use as a span bracket, a fragmentof a messenger being associated with said clamp.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the clamp illustrated in Fig. 4 with the messenger shown in section.

Fig. `6 is a front elevation of still another modified form'of the improved clamp Which resembles theform illustrated in Figs. l and 5 but includes knobs for attaching service connections to the clamp. l

Fg. 7- is a side elevation of the clamp illustrated in Fig. 6 with the messenger associated therewith shown in section.

In the drawings, wherein are shown for the purpose of illustration, merely, several embodiments of the invention, A designates in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the improved clamp generally. Also in Figs. l, 2, and 3 a messenger is designated by the reference character B and a cable is designated by the reference character C. The clamp A of Figs. l, 2, and 3 includes a clamping member I and a clamp-ing member 2 which are so constructed and arranged that the messenger B is clamped between said clamping members, said clamping members preferably being formed from rod stock. The clamping member I is preferably in the form of a U-bo-lt and includes a pair of spaced, vertically disposed, parallel portions 3 which are shaped at their upper ends to provide parallel horizontal portions 4, the portions which connect the vertical portions 3 and the horizontal portions 4 being of arcuate formation as indicated at 5 in Fig. 2, and the ends of the horizontal portions 4 opposite to the ends thereof into which the arcuate portions 5 merge being joined by a bridge portion 6. The vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I are externally screwthreaded throughout considerable portions of the lengths thereof for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. The clamping member 2 is shaped as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 2; that is to say, said clamping member is formed preferably from a single length of rod which includes a horizontal portion 'I, a vertical portion 8 which is connected to the horizontal portion by an arcuate portion 9, and an arcuate portion Ill which extends from the upper end of the vertical portion 8. In use the arcuate portion I0 of the clamping member 2 overlaps and engages the bridge portion 6 of' the clamping member I as shown to the best advantage in Fig. 2, and the horizontal portion 1 of said clamping member 2 extends through an aperture il formed through a plate l2. The plate I2 contacts with the upper portions of the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I as shown in Fig. 2 and said plate is provided with flanges I3 at its opposite ends which extend at approximate right angles to the main bodi7 of the plate and engage opposed outer portions of the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I (Figs. 1 and 2). The horizontal portion 'I of the clamping member 2 is screwthreaded inwardly from its outer end and a nut I4 is mounted on said screwthreaded portion and is screwed into engagement with the plate I2 to force said plate in close contact with the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I.

Arranged about the cable C is a band I5 formed of metal or other suitable material, said band being provided with parallel, horizontal extensions I6 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The extensions I5 of the band I5 are provided with alined apertures I5 through which the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I extend, and the band proper is provided with similar apertures I'I spaced thereabout so that when the band is reduced in diameter apertures will always be present in the portions of the band which provide the extensions through which the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I may pass. Located in contact with the extensions I5 of the band I5 is a pair of plates I8 which are also provided with apertures through which the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I extend, and contacting with the top face of the upper plate I8 and the bottom face of the lower plate I3 are pairs of nuts I9 and 2G which are mounted on the screwthreaded portions of the vertical portions 3 of the clamping member I. Obviously when the associated nuts I9 and 25 are screwed toward each other the plates I8 and the extensions I6 on the band I5 will be likewise forced toward each other with the result that the band will be drawn tightly about the cable, and the extensions of the band will be securely gripped between the plates I8 and the nuts I9 and 2E] to rigidly fix the cable to the clamping member I.

In applying the improved clamp illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 to a messenger and cable the cable is connected loosely to the vertical portions of the clamping member I; that is with the nuts I9 and ZIJ only partially adjusted to then' cable-gripping position. The horizontal portions 4 of the clamping member I are then hooked over the messenger and the clamping member 2 is arranged in place with its arcuate portion I0 overlapping and engaging the bridge portion 6 of the clamping member I. The plate I2 is then passed over the screwthreaded end portion of the clamping member 2 and arranged in place in engagement with the vertical portions of the clamping member I, after which the nut I4 is applied to the screwthreaded portion of the clamping member 2 and is drawn into loose engagement with the plate I2. With the clamp loosely held in place by the partially drawn up nuts the clamp is adjusted to its proper position after which the nuts I4, I9, and 2D are drawn up tight to securely x the clamp in place.

An important feature of the invention is that the messenger B is engaged by the arcuate portions 5 and 9 of the clamping members I and 2 and as a result each arcuate portion engages at least two of the strands of the messenger as shown clearly in Fig. 2. This provides much greater and more secure gripping action between the clamping members and the messenger than was possible in the use of clamps heretofore used for this purpose where flat plates were employed and contacted each with only the high spot of one strand of the messenger. Also because the clamping members are formed of rod stock which possesses considerable spring the nut I4 is drawn at all times by the spring of the clamping member 2 into close frictional contact with the plate I2 whereby unintended rotation of said nut is prevented without the use of a lock washer or the like. Additionally, unintended rotation of the nuts I9 and 25 is prevented by the tendency of the extensions I6 of the band I5 to spread apart which forces the plates IB into close frictional contact with said nuts I9 and 20.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is made substantially the same as the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, in so far as gripping the messenger is concerned. However because the form of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is intended for use as a span bracket and not as a clamp for securing a cable to a messenger the screwthreaded portions of the portions 3 of the clamping member I are not present in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. In Figs. 4 and 5 the clamping member which corresponds to the clamping member I of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 is designated by the reference character Ia, and the clamping member of Figs. 4 and 5 which corresponds to the clamping member 2 of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, is designated by the reference character 2a. The clamping member 2a of Figs. 4 and 5 differs from the clamping member 2 of Figs. 1, 2, and 3 in that it does not include the arcuate portion I of Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but instead the vertical portion 8a contacts with and extends vertically above the bridge portion 6a of the clamping member Ia as shown in Fig. 5 and is provided with an eye 2I formed in its upper portion.

In the use of the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the device is secured to the messenger Ba in the manner already explained in connection with the use of the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. A suitable wire gripping device, of which a number of types are available, is connected to the service connection which it is desired to attach to the messenger and to the eye 2I of the span bracket, said service connection being extended from the Wire-gripping device to the customers premises. If desired the device shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be reversed to locate the eye 2I below the messenger.

The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 is constructed just as is the device illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 with the addition of a downwardly extended arm 22 which supports a pair of porcelain knobs 23 at its lower end. The arm 22 is provided with an aperture 22' formed therethrough at a point adjacent to its upper end, and the upper end portion of said arm 22 is interposed between the plate I2a and the vertical portions 3a of the clamping member Ia so that the horizontal portion Ia of the clamping member 2a extends through the aperture 22 of said arm. Obviously the nut Ida in addition to performing the function of drawing the clamping members Iar and Ib into clamping engagement with the messenger Ba serves also to secure the arm 22 in place, and the service connection is secured to one or the other of the knobs 23 in the usual manner.

I claim:

1. A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially circular cross-section, comprising a pair of clamping members each of which partially surrounds the article being clamped, one of said clamping members being in detachable engagement with the other clamping member, and means for drawing said clamping members into clamping relation with respect to the article being clamped, said means comprising an element arranged in contact with one of said clamping members and provided with an aperture through which a portion of the other clamping member extends, and a nut mounted. on said nut is mounted longitudinally of the aperture of said element. 4

2. A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially circular cross-section comprising a pair of clamping members -each of whichv includes an'. arcuate portion that contacts with and partially surrounds the article being clamped, one of said clamping members being provided with a portion which overlaps a portion of the other clamping member to provide detachable engagement between said members, and means for drawing said clamping members into clamping relation with respect to the article being clamped, said means comprising an element arranged in contact with one of said clamping members and provided with an aperture through which a portion of the other clamping member extends, and a nut mounted on said clamping member portion that extends through the aperture of said element, said nut tending to force the element into close contact with the clamping member with which it contacts and draw the clamping member portion on which the nut is mounted longitudinally of the aperture of said element, and means for clampingly engaging a second article, the last-mentioned means comprising a band which embraces the secondmentioned article being clamped and is provided with a portion having an aperture formed therethrough through which a part of* one of said clamping members extends, and means on said part of one of said clamping members for clampingly engaging said portion of said band.

3. A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially circular cross-section comprising a pair of clamping members each of which includes an arcuate portion that contacts with and partially surrounds the article being clamped, one of said clamping. members being provided with a portion which overlaps a portion of the other clamping member to provide detachable engagement between said members, and means for drawingsaid clamping members into clamping relation with respect to the article being clamped, said means comprising an element arranged in contact with one of said clamping members and provided with an aperture through which a portion of the other clamping member extends, and a nut mounted on said clamping member portion that extends through the aperture of said element, said nut tending to force the element into close contact with the clamping member with which it contacts and draw the clamping member portion on which the nut is mounted longitudinally of the aperture of said element, and means for clampingly engaging a second article, the last-mentioned means comprising a band which embraces the second-mentioned article being clamped and is provided with flange portions having apertures formed therethrough through which parts of one of said clamping members are extended, and nuts on said parts of' said one of said clamping members for clampingly engaging said iiange portions of saidband.

4. A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially circular cross-section including a clamping member, in the form of a U- bolt provided with a bridge portion at one end and having spaced, parallel vertical legs, said clamping vmember being bent adjacent to. its bridge end toprovide a portion that is disposedat anapproximate right angle relative to the spaced, parallel vertical legs,` a second clamping member which detachablyengages thelbridge portion of the, first-mentioned: clamping member, and meansxfor drawing said clamping members into clamping yrelation with respect to the article being clamped.-

V5.'A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially: circular cross-section including a clamping member, in the form of a U- bolt provided with a bridge portion at one end and having spaced, parallel vertical legs, said clamp-ing member being bent adjacent to its bridge end to provide a portion that is disposed at an approximate right angle relative to the spaced, parallel vertical legs, a second clamping member which detachably engages the bridge portion of the first-mentioned clamping member, the iirst-mentioned and second-mentioned clamping members being provided with arcuate portions which contact with and partially surround the article being clamped, and means for drawing said clamping members into clamping relation with respect to the article being clamped.

6. A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially7 circular cross-section including a clamping member, in the form of a U- bolt provided with a bridge portion at one end and having spaced, parallel vertical legs, said clamping member being bent adjacent to its bridge end to provide a portion that is disposed at an approximate right angle relative to the spaced, parallel vertical legs, a second clamping member which detachably engages the bridge portion of the rst-mentioned clamping member, the first mentioned and second mentioned clamping members being provided with arcuate portions which contact with and partially surround the article being clamped, and means for drawing said clamping, members into clamping relation with respect to the article being clamped, said means comprising an element arranged in contact with the vertical legs of the first-mentioned clamping member and provided with an aperture through which a portion of the secondmentioned clamping member extends, and a nut mounted on the portion of said second-mentioned clamping member that extends through the aperture of said element, said nut tending to force the element into close contact with the vertical legs of the first-mentioned clamping member and draw the portion of the second-mentioned clamping member that extends through the aperture of said element longitudinally of said aperture.

7. A clamp adapted to engage an elongated element of substantially circular cross-section including a clamping member, in the form of a U- bolt provided wtih a bridge portion at one end and having spaced, parallel vertical legs, said clamping member being bent adjacent to its bridge end to provide a portion that is disposed at an approximate right angle relative to the spaced, parallel vertical legs, a second clamping member which detachably engages the bridge portion of the first-mentioned clamping member, the iirst mentioned and second mentioned clamping members being provided with arcuate portions which contact with and partially surround the article being clamped, means for drawing said clamping members into clamping relation with respect to the article being clamped, said means comprising an element arranged in contact with the vertical legs of the first-mentioned clamping member and provided with an aperture through which a portion of the secondmentioned clamping member extends, and a nut mounted on the portion of said second-mentioned clamping member that extends through the aperture of said element, said nut tending to force the element into close contact with the Vertical legs of the rst-mentioned clamping member and draw the portion of the second-mentioned clamping member that extends through the aperture of said element longitudinally of said aperture, and means for clamping a second article to the first-mentioned clamping member, the last-mentioned means comprising a band which embraces the second article and is provided with extensions having apertures through which the Vertical legs of the first-mentioned clamping member extend, and nuts on said Vertical legs of said first-mentioned clamping member for forcing said extensions toward each other to tighten said band about the second article,

OSCAR F. TALLMAN. 

